I think I have it

[Tami]

I think I might have diabetes but I'm not sure. I figured you people would know better than I would about what a healthy blood sugar level is. My mom is diabetic and she says that anything over 120 could indicate that you have diabetes. I had pancreatitis a couple years ago that was caused by gall stones passing into my pancreas. It killed one third of my pancreas. The doctors said that it could leave me diabetic but as of that time I did not have diabetes. They were always checking my blood sugar in the hospital and it was always less than 120, but that was almost 2 years ago. My mom checked my blood sugar with her supplies when I was visiting for Christmas just a few days ago and my blood sugar was 148. It was after I had eaten so it wasn't a fasting blood sugar test. She said that no matter what a person eats, their blood sugar should never go over 120 if they don't have diabetes. I hadn't been eating anything that was good for me but she said that didn't matter. She said that it didn't matter what I ate that my blood sugar should not go over 120 if I don't have diabetes. Is this true? I had been eating chips and some cookies and had a regular soda before the test. I didn't stuff myself with them but I did have some. Would someone without diabetes who had a handful of chips with some salsa and 2 cookies and a regular soda still have a blood sugar of 120 or less or would it indicate that they have blood sugar problems? I didn't have this stuff all at the same time. It was spread over a few hours. Should I see a doctor? If it turns out that I do have diabetes, I don't have insurance. My husband could get insurance through his work but it would cost $200.00/mo. By the time I pay for medicine and testing supplies will it be cheaper to just pay for the stuff out of my own pocket or should I pay $200.00/mo for insurance?


Tami

[am1977]

Tami, I understand your concern. It is a bit scary when thinking about the possibility of diabetes. All I can suggest is to talk to your doctor, he/she is the only who can make a diagnosis. Probably the sooner you get checked out,. the better. I'm hoping that you are ok, but even if you do have it there are ways to manage it and control it.

Good luck and I hope you will let us know how everything goes.

Andrea C.

[WiseWords]

Originally posted by Tami
My mom is diabetic and she said
that no matter what a person eats,
their blood sugar should never go over 120
if they don't have diabetes.
Tami
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :D :D :D :stupid: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
I find it hard to believe that your Mom is a diabetic
because no one with diabetes would make such a
stupid and incorrect statement !

You can do a search on Google to find out more information
about blood sugars.

If you are trying to figure out what to do about medical insurance,
the bottom line is that it costs money.
You get what you pay for.
:whistling

[Harold]

You might want to check out this site; Pre-diabetes (http://www.diabetes.org/info/pre-diabetes.jsp)

Notice the OGTT chart shows 140 to 200 as pre-diabetes. Basically your Mom is correct, but it is assuming perfect health, young, not pregnant, and no other cause such as some medicines which may cause high bg's. Notice I said young, as people age the upper level goes up and in senior ages a 150 is not unusual.

Now the insurance. Get it before being diagnosed, it's cheaper. Remember it usually takes failing two test before being dx'd. Talk to your doctor first since they will be the one making the dx or not and they will understand. One thing to remember, or a couple, this is a progressive condition once you have it and everything that affects your health will do more so.

Good Luck, H

[Jon]

Your mom is actually partly correct. If your not diabetic, your bg should not go over 120. That is the new limit the medical world has set now to diagnose. (180 used to be the magic diabetic number). An accurate test though would be while fasting, not right after eating. 148 sounds a little high, but if you really ate that much junk food, maybe your body didn't have time to respond to all the sugar. Also, be careful when testing to make sure your fingers are clean. If you have chocolate or sugar residue on you fingers, it could affect the test results.

If in doubt, you should definately see a doctor to be sure.

[zookeeper671]

When my pancreas was still working (had reactive hypoglycemia), and when I was eating a lot of sweets, I recall getting readings up to 160mg/dl afterward. Of course, it would drop down a few hours later to within a normal range (80-120).

Angie

[mg_2204]

Hello Tami!

A regular soda would make my BG rise way above normal. Do you know how much sugar a soda contains? LOTS!!!

Anyway, it would be a good thing for you to see a doctor... just in case. Only tests will tell you if you are diabetic or not.

As for insurance well... I don't know! Depends if you have diabetes or not. And depends if you will need medication or not. Sometimes the disease progresses rapidly, even if you're careful and take care of yourself. What if you need insulin at some point? And if you are diabetic, you will need a flu jab (are they free in USA for diabetics by the way?) and most certainly a glucometer and supplies.

Best thing would be to find out if you are diabetic or not...

Best of luck!

Marie
:)

[HeatherP]

Good morning, Tami, and welcome.

A "healthy" person's b/s should never go above 120.

If you're running higher than that, then yes, you should see a doctor asap, and yes, you should get insurance if it's available to you. I don't know if you'll need insulin - it depends on your age. Test strips will cost you $60-100 for 100. Plus a meter, plus, you'll need to see a dietician. It will depend on what kind of insurance you can get and what they will or will not cover, but $200 a month sounds like a deal. My husband and I pay around $750 month for insurance.

I hope you get this squared away quickly, and take care of yourself,
HeatherP

[zookeeper671]

Tami~ Here is a link to info about normal blood glucose levels:normal levels (http://www.vmmc.org/dbBenaroya/sec68178.htm)

"With a 'random' blood glucose test taken at any time, a normal blood glucose range is in the low to mid 100s. A diagnosis of diabetes is made if your blood glucose reading is 200 mg/dl or higher and you have symptoms of disease such as fatigue, excessive urination, excessive thirst or unplanned weight loss."

Also, $200/month for insurance is really good. If your doctor concludes that you in fact have diabetes, the supplies, doc visits, CDE visits, nutritionist visits, and medication will end up running you far more than $200/month. The insurance sounds like a good deal to me! :)

Best wishes,
Angie

[Tami]

Originally posted by WiseWords
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :D :D :D :stupid: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
I find it hard to believe that your Mom is a diabetic
because no one with diabetes would make such a
stupid and incorrect statement !

You can do a search on Google to find out more information
about blood sugars.

If you are trying to figure out what to do about medical insurance,
the bottom line is that it costs money.
You get what you pay for.
:whistling

Well, my mom really is a diabetic or I doubt she'd be wasting her time taking glucophage and buying diabetes testing supplies. She does tend to freak out now that she has it. She acts like everyone has it now. She's always wanting to test all the family's blood sugar, especially mine whenever I see her because she knows that a third of my pancreas is dead.

[EdnBama]

I agree with Angie that if diagnosed, 200 bucks a month for insurance would be a good investment ... and that's just considering the treatment for the diabetes itself ...

... not considering other costs such as related health problems for example, I'm taking blood pressure medicine along with my diabetes medicine.

I have seen reports of what my insurance company pays out for drugs versus what I pay in co-pays. That alone is worth it.

I'll share number if anyone is interested, otherwise I won't bore you.

But, as said by others above, get the insurance first, to try to protect your coverage.

--Ed

[Tami]

My husband and I have talked about it and have decided that I will wait to go to the doctor until after he gets insurance through his work and he is going to talk to his employer about it right away. We need to get insurance whether I have diabetes or not anyway. I don't want to go to the doctor before I get insurance because Harold said that it's cheaper if you get it before you are diagnosed. We have 3 kids and need to save all the money we can. I also thought I heard somewhere that if you have a pre-existing condition that insurance companies can wait a year before they cover you. I don't know if that's true or not but I don't want to take any chances either because it sounds like this stuff can get pretty expensive. I'll just do my best to take care of myself in the meantime.

Tami

[HeatherP]

Hi Tami, I'm glad that you're going to go for the insurance. Some companies do have pre-existing conditions exclusions, so it would be best to be officially diagnosed after the ins is in effect.

Is it possible to get yourself a meter and test strips in the meantime? That way you can monitor your sugars and keep an eye on things. Also, you'll do better if you excercise, and I don't know about you, but my favorite foods are mostly high-carb, but if you try to keep your carbs on the lower end, you may be able to keep your b/s's closer to normal.

Hope that helps!
HeatherP

[Tami]

Originally posted by HeatherP
Hi Tami, I'm glad that you're going to go for the insurance. Some companies do have pre-existing conditions exclusions, so it would be best to be officially diagnosed after the ins is in effect.

Is it possible to get yourself a meter and test strips in the meantime? That way you can monitor your sugars and keep an eye on things. Also, you'll do better if you excercise, and I don't know about you, but my favorite foods are mostly high-carb, but if you try to keep your carbs on the lower end, you may be able to keep your b/s's closer to normal.

Hope that helps!
HeatherP

My mom actually did give me one of those finger poker thingies and some test strips and a meter so I can test my own blood sugar. She got a new FreeStyle one so she gave me her old stuff. I'm afraid to do my own because I know it hurst like heck because my mom has used it on me before. For having 3 kids, I have a relatively low pain tolerance, lol. I will get around to doing it. I just have so many other things on my mind right now. I love her FreeStyle one because it doesn't hurt so bad. If I do find out that I have it, I'm definitely getting FreeStyle.


Tami

[HeatherP]

When I got mine, the cde said it was the most accurate (freestyle). I would like to make a couple of suggestions, which you may already be aware of, but just in case....

1. Use the thinnest lancet you can get - BD makes one that is I think 30-31 gg.

2. Adjust the device to a shallower setting - it may be too deep.

3. Most importantly: do the stick on the SIDES of your fingertips - WAY less nerves, so not as painful.

Best wishes,
HeatherP

[am1977]

Tami, I don't really agree with Wise Words approach sometimes, he seems to take a very antagonistic approach. I think he likes to get a rise out of people, and I hope you won't take that personally. ;)

Anyway, I think a lot of the posters here have given you good advice and I hope you will take them up on what they have mentioned. :)

I wish you luck with everything and hope to see you again. Feel free to ask any questions. :)

Take care,

Andrea

[EdnBama]

... "finger poker thingies" ... I love this forum! Helps me with all the techno-lingo!

:whistling

--Ed

[WiseWords]

Originally posted by Tami
She said that no matter what a person eats,
their blood sugar should never go over 120
if they don't have diabetes.

I hadn't been eating anything that was good for me
but she said that didn't matter.

She said that it didn't matter what I ate that my blood sugar
should not go over 120 if I don't have diabetes. Is this true?
Tami
NO, it is NOT true.
This is not a debatable point.
The level of 120, now reduced to 110, is for the times that
one has not eaten.
In a non-diabetic, the blood sugar is kept from staying too high
by the production of insulin from the pancreas,
but that production only occurs when the BG level
goes above 120. That is when the insulin producing cells in
the pancreas produce insulin.
The blood sugar, even in a non-diabetic, does indeed go above
120, after eating.
Generally it won't go more than 140-150, with an average size meal,
but of course, "average" varies with the person.
It is considered safe if it stays below 180 for up to two hours
after a very large meal.
In a non-diabetic, the blood sugar will come back down
to a normal level below 120.
But to suggest that no matter what a person eats,
their blood sugar should never go over 120, is just plain wrong !
It is not a little bit wrong, nor subject to a slight difference of opinion.
It is completely wrong.

That is how the pancreas gets a signal to produce insulin---when the
blood sugar goes up after eating.
That is how it works.

By your own admission, you said that you had not been
eating anything good for you.
So, your BG was above 120 because you tested after eating.
If it stays higher for more than 3 or 4 hours, or after a
10-12 hour fast, then you might have diabetes.

Pre-diabetes, and other extraneous thoughts have nothing to do
with what your Mother said.
A healthy person's BG should always go over 120 after they eat,
especially if they eat a lot of junk food,
which is what it sounds like you did.
Below 120 is for between meals, not right after one has eaten.
Your question was not about normal blood sugars for a non-diabetic.
Your question was about after eating, and about the
comments from your Mom, which are wrong.
If you have blood sugars that remain high, or are above 120
in the morning, when you first get up, then you will have cause for concern.
This is all so obvious, I didn't expect it to generate any difference of opinion.
Your Mom is wrong. There is no debate about it.
Here are some links to verify it:
1. Joslin Diabetes Center - (They should know !) (http://www.joslin.harvard.edu/education/library/whigh.shtml)
2. Normal BG levels before & after eating (http://www.endocrineweb.com/insulin.html)
3. Diagnosing Diabetes (http://www.endocrineweb.com/Diabetes/diagnosis.html)
4. Normal Blood Sugars (http://www.a-personaldietitian.com/high_blood_sugar.htm)
Even these sites have slightly different numbers because
there are no exact numbers.
If you have a high BG for no reason at all,
then you will know it from testing, and
it won't matter 5 or 10 points one way or the other.
;)

[Tami]

Alrighty then. You are correct, sir. I will call my mother immediately and tell her what a doofus head she is. Well, not really. A little paranoid maybe, but not a doofus head.


Tami

[WiseWords]

I didn't say your Mother was a doofus,
but she does represent an example of the
single biggest problem with
trying to achieve good control---incorrect ideas.
One has only to read the many message boards and
forums for diabetes to see how many false assumptions
are out there !
I am not trying to win any popularity contest.
Accuracy is more essential, even if the directness
doesn't make one feel all warm and cuddly.
One can do that after their condition is under good control.
Click for happy face. (http://1000smilies.com/animated/winking.gif)

[Andrea]

Wise words,

Why do you feel it is so necessary to insult people? Does it make you feel smart? Powerful? Knowledgeable?

It actually is true that if a person has no trouble with glucose metablolism, their blood glucose levels shouldn't go above 120 mg/dl. Of course, it is possible, but usually only happens in the case of transient illness and other extrenuating circumstances. It must also be noted that although we like to talk in nice round numbers, the body doesn't work like that.

I had friends in university who liked to play with my glucometer. One friend would test (and find his blood glucose level almost always at 5.6mmol/L or 100 mg/dl), then drink a litre (a quart) of orange juice. He would then test his blood glucose every 15 minutes for an hour and it never went above 5.8 mmol/L or 104 mg/dl. That is how a working pancreas is supposed to work!

Anyway, i understand the desire for accuracy. There are so many myths about diabetes out there that i don't even know if it is possible to dispel them all. Especially since it is sometimes our doctors and other medical professionals who are giving false information. I agree with you that it is frustrating to read information on the net that it not correct. But that is no reason to insult or chastize others. People come to a forum because they want support and to LEARN. It is normal that not everyone in the world knows everything there is to know about diabetes. Please be respectful of others.

Andrea

[EdnBama]

I was surprised when my doc told me yesterday I should decrease my carb intake even more ... even though my A1C for the last 3 months was 4.6, the two previous readings were 4.7 and 5.0.

Imagine that.

--Ed

[WiseWords]

Originally posted by Andrea
Wise words,
Why do you feel it is so necessary to insult people? Does it make you feel smart? Powerful? Knowledgeable?

Your assumptions, as usual, are way off base.
I do not feel it is necessary to insult people,
nor did I say that I did.
Don't attempt to get me to defend your mis-interpretations
of the facts.

As I have had diabetes for more than six times the length
that you have, (and am active in educational areas),
I do not regard you as the all knowing
source of wisdom that you perceive yourself to be
on many boards.

Whenever I give out some factual information,
I include links to verify or expand upon it,
for those who want to learn more, or question what I have said.

There are many obvious areas for diabetics,
which should not be debatable with regard to
proper care or procedure.

Telling someone that the idea they had is incorrect,
and then proving it to them,
is not insulting,
although I will acknowledge that some egos may be bruised.
Originally posted by Andrea It actually is true that if a person has no trouble
with glucose metablolism, their blood glucose levels
shouldn't go above 120 mg/dl.
That is only so, concerning areas of a so-called
normal BG, when a person has not recently eaten food.
No one was disputing, or for that matter,
even discussing, what the normal range of the BG is for a human being.
The discussion, which did seem to get off track,
was about whether or not the BG rises after a person eats.
The answer is that it does rise, and it doesn't matter whether
one is a diabetic or not.
In a non-diabetic, the pancreas starts producing insulin
when the BG rises, and that brings it back down to a normal
level below 120.
Going above 120, after eating, does not mean that one is a diabetic,
which is what started off the discussion.
Originally posted by Andrea Of course, it is possible, but usually only happens in the
case of transient illness and other extrenuating circumstances.
It must also be noted that although we like to talk in nice round numbers, the body doesn't work like that.
120 was not being used in this discussion as an absolute,
exacting number. 120/110 was being used as the standard
reference numbers that they are.
Originally posted by Andrea
I had friends in university who liked to play with my glucometer.
{I bet he did !} One friend would test (and find his blood glucose level almost always at 5.6mmol/L or 100 mg/dl), then drink a litre (a quart) of orange juice. He would then test his blood glucose every 15 minutes for an hour and it never went above 5.8 mmol/L or 104 mg/dl. That is how a working pancreas is supposed to work!
Actually, I have read enough of your posts to know that
you know better than that.
That is not at all how a pancreas is supposed to work.
He may have had other problems with an over-active pancreas,
or, it may have been do to the extra large amount of carbs
from a whole quart of OJ---about 108 gms of carbs all at once.

BTW, your constant use of the word "glucometer" is,
I believe, a carry-over from one of the meters you
used to have. That word is also occasionally misused by
professionals when referring to a BG meter, or just a meter,
among those in a diabetes group. I don't know if it may
also be a French word. Glucometer is the name of a specific
brand of meters for blood glucose testing, but it is not
a generic term for BG meters.
Originally posted by Andrea
Anyway, i understand the desire for accuracy.
There are so many myths about diabetes out there
that i don't even know if it is possible to dispel them all.
Especially since it is sometimes our doctors and other medical
professionals who are giving false information.
I agree with you that it is frustrating to read information
on the net that is not correct.
But that is no reason to insult or chastize others. People come to
a forum because they want
support and to LEARN.{They are not going to learn by
giving support to incorrect ideas. That would be insulting.}

It is normal that not everyone in the world knows everything
there is to know about diabetes. Please be respectful of others.
Andrea
Always try to be, but not at the expense of truth and knowledge.
Have a good & healthy New Year.
;)
PS: By the time this is posted, it will probably be New year's
in Paris. What is it like to celebrated in Paris? There is a
lot of extra police protection at large events in the US.
Times Square in NYC will be on the internet at this link:
---> New Year's - 2004 (http://newyears.earthcam.com/)

[TAutry]

Hi All,

Time for a little moderation here. Let's lower the tone a bit. Some of the posts in this thread are getting too close to being personal attacks. Limit your comments to diabetes and reduce the use of irrelevent quotes. Otherwise the thread will be closed and any member that doesn't comply will be banned.

Remember: At Diabetesforums.com we work and play well with others.

Travis Autry
Diabetesforums Moderator